Questions about AZ Prop 203

It was a great finale to the voting madness, when Prop 203 gained momentum late in the ballot counting, ultimately passing. I don't understand how there can be so much resistance to helping people that are suffering.

I am in my early 60s, cancer patient, disabled, have a hard time standing and walking around without a cane or crutches because of severe arthritis, chronic back pain and spasms, surgery on both knees, peripheral neuropathy as well a few other humdingers.

I'm looking forward to getting a MM Card here in Arizona, and my GP feels I will not have a problem obtaining one. I'm sort of disappointed that the process has taken so long to come to fruition, and at the same time, it will take at least 10 months or so, before I can get some pain relief. It certainly doesn't seem like there is any fast track to getting relief to those that need it, but rather efforts to appease those who voted against Prop 203. Lets hope someone in the DHS sets some expedited program to make this effort a reality.

I've got a question, what is the benefit of using a "Caregiver" versus going to a Dispensary and is there a financial difference in the price of medication. As I am currently on Disability, (Medical bills and Health Insurance premiums prior to getting on Medicare have nearly wiped out my retirement savings)
I'm curious as to what the costs will be for MM. The amount one can obtain is
supposedly 2.5 oz every two weeks. I've heard that MM can sell for a few hundred dollars an ounce; so my question is how will that be affordable for folks like myself, who are disabled and on a limited fixed income from Social Security. Apparently you cannot grow your own, unless you live 25 miles away from the nearest Dispensary, so I'm fairly sure that I will not live that far way and therefore be ineligible for that option.

I don't know when the AZ DHS will start issuing the MMJ cards, seems like it'll be mid 2011. I'm planning on getting the pre-registration done in the next few weeks.

Thanks for any advice.

Moderators... please move if this post is in the wrong section

Maybe I can be of some assistance:D

Every facility or dispensary rather will accept SSI, Medicare, Medicaid, etc. and get your meds paid for just like any other medication would be.

The advantage of using a caregiver is:

1-control over what is produced on a regular basis
2-Price will be considerably lower than most dispensaries, I say most because we don't fit the bill here. Our prices will be lower than most dispensaries. And for the reason you stated, currently medical marijuana in other states is based on black market pricing. We have promised to not participate in this type of business.
3-caregivers do everything for you, grow it, deliver it, whole 9 yards but there is a draw back or two.

The care giver could easily make a mistake and wipe out your crops, commercial facilities not so much. Some caregivers will have their own set ups for growing hydroponically some will not, more start up cost to you.

Dispensaries always have meds once they are operational, or at least shortly there after, first crop and cure time. A caregiver can only grow your 12 plants for you and you only get what those twelve produce, which if done right is close to 12 lbs, however doing it right means a lot of expensive equipment.


I would give you this advice.

Visit some websites for more information on the specific dispensaries that are being proposed then start posting your likes and dislike to the AZDHS sites on youtube and the web.

We have a lot of information on our site, more than most. We also have affiliate patient certification programs as well. We are currently working out a "special" for our members to receive a promotional discount at their facility. Both locations can be found on our website.

Couple more things,


starting April 1st the state has to accept applications for dispensaries and patients and caregivers. Soooo dispensaries will not be open for business right away. Most of us will take a few more moths just to get the permit. In the time it takes to do that AZDHS has to process your certifications from doctors to get you your cards. If they do not get the card to you within 90 days your application BECOMES YOUR CARD until either a denial is given on your card is given to you.

This also means that almost every person that gets a card will "qualify" to grow their own medical marijuana for at least one year until their card is renewed.


:thumbsup:

AZCSceo...Appreciate the info you provided, which I find very helpful. Thanks, Rob

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Originally Posted by Radioactive

AZCSceo...Appreciate the info you provided, which I find very helpful. Thanks, Rob

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Of course, your the ones we are here for Rob, patients.

our site and services are at my home page link.

I forgot to mention we offer classes for people interested in growing their own, very affordable for everyone and we offer a discount program for almost all of our services based on your individual situation.

We also have a patient sign up area for people looking to participate in case studies, they receive medication during the study at no cost.

Thanks I'll check out the website.

Hey guys I am a new member from AZ. A few of you were mentioning "pre-registering," does anyone know exactly where I can do this? Ive checked all local government sites and found nothing.

I am also very interested in any job offerings or investors for this field, starting next year of course. Ideally I would like to set up a place where I can grow and provide for patients, I have a history in botany and think cananbis would be a fun challenge to grow. If anyone is interested please PM me.

Or if anyone else has any offerings or need help opening a dispensary, I have a good amount of savings I am looking to invest into this. :pimp:

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Originally Posted by BlackXS

Hey guys I am a new member from AZ. A few of you were mentioning "pre-registering," does anyone know exactly where I can do this? Ive checked all local government sites and found nothing.

I am also very interested in any job offerings or investors for this field, starting next year of course. Ideally I would like to set up a place where I can grow and provide for patients, I have a history in botany and think cananbis would be a fun challenge to grow. If anyone is interested please PM me.

Or if anyone else has any offerings or need help opening a dispensary, I have a good amount of savings I am looking to invest into this. :pimp:

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you should contact us

AZCS Home

For Radioactive:

The advice I've read so far is spot-on. I would also take into consideration the amount of time it would take for serious cultivation of ones own medicine. From my experiences as a MMJ Owner/Operator in California, you would need to wait 8-9 months (not including dry/cure time) for your very first harvest to quantify nearly a pound per plant. It would also take one of only two styles of grow to accrue such a large quantity from so few plants. The first is a commercial-warehouse style grow with tall enough ceilings to account for the height of the plant in addition to the amount of room necessary for a very expensive lighting system. The second would be an outdoor style grow with additives and soil amendments. You aren't paying nearly as much out-of-pocket outdoors, but there are many environmental factors that will affect the quality of the medicine. Arizona is a typically hot and dry state outside of the mountain communities and that will play a very big role in the process of cultivation.
I'm new to the Arizona Community but I look forward to the opportunity of facilitating the needs of our medical patients with compassion and empathy and to not overlook the many patients who also suffer from financial hardships.

From the research that I've done so far, AZCS is a great resource for the new medical marijuana patients of Arizona. The wisdom and advice from AZCSceo has been the most honest and upfront that I've read from all of the topics and posts thus far and the information is all accurate. (Not so for many of the Half-Baked somebodies that have been masquerading as legitimate MMJ partners.)
Beware of those! I've seen too many people who think that this is an extension of the Black Market and have a desire to make a profit from the sick and dying, an issue that I find abhorrent!

In conclusion, my advice would be to read up on marijuana cultivation from a reputable web-site with many seasoned/experienced growers and to pick their brains with questions OR to invest in a few cultivation books. I like Ed Rosenthal as opposed to Mark Emery or Jorge Cervantes but nearly any beginner's guide is enough to gather a scope of the process and if it would be-who of you to invest in personal cultivation or to donate to your local Cooperative or even to use a reliable delivery service.
All of which SHOULD be available by the summer of 2011. That's only a reasonable approximation and the amount of time could be shorter or longer with respect to the amount of time successful entrepreneurs can establish legitimate not-for-profit MMJ collectives here in Arizona.

I hope that answered some of your questions!

TS

A dispensary will accept medicaid?

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Originally Posted by jdevall

A dispensary will accept medicaid?

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He/she also says "one would need to wait 8-9 months (not including dry/cure time) for your very first harvest to quantify nearly a pound per plant".

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Originally Posted by jdevall

A dispensary will accept medicaid?

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"Every facility or dispensary rather will accept SSI, Medicare, Medicaid, etc. and get your meds paid for just like any other medication would be. "


Let me clarify, we have a sliding scale payment for members of the collective. If your on any of those I listed above we are trying to instill programs that will recoup the portion NOT covered but them as they are federally funded programs.

We also offer the "Even Trade Project" which is designed specifically for members in financial hardships.

And if you intend to pull any kind of weight of 12 plants you will have to veg them for an extended period (couple months) and flower for almost 11 weeks. Hence the one plant per light ratio.

If your some one with the space and time, I would run perpetual and grab caregivers rights so you can run 72 smaller plants, yielding about 6 ounces per plant (dry weight). Harvest 7 plants per week, 10 week cycle @ 12/12. That's 7 plants @ 6 ounces each per week for a total of 42 ounces, split that 6 ways (you and the 5 patients) and you have 4 ounces per week per patient in production. Slightly more than allowed by law so your gonna have to donate some to other patients/caregivers or sell it to dispensaries.
just my .02;)